“Sidebar” Reviews are extremely early reviews designed to encourage readers to pre-order novels that will be released later in the year.
Some of the best horror fiction manages to depict real-world societal problems in such an extreme way that the risks are undeniable while also leaving the reader comforted by the assurance that the danger remains just fantastical enough to not be of real concern…yet. Celebrated novelist Alma Katsu excels at navigating this challenging tightrope in both her historical and modern-day horror offerings. Last year’s Fiend is a prime example and later this year, her fans will get to crack the cover on Incarnate.
At its heart, Incarnate is a modern adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, with a fair amount of allusion to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein—especially when both Gothics are viewed through their natural feminist lens. Among other things, from the Wilde classic Incarnate snags the idea of the ubiquitous Faustian bargain hinging on the desire not for immortality, but more specifically for eternal youth and beauty. Meanwhile, the Frankenstein homage reflects the advancements in technology to include, among other things, the ability to “create” life in non-traditional ways.
Incarnate is the story of Dorothy Wagner, a STEM savant who has spent her entire life feeling like an outsider looking in. After a rough childhood, where bullying was the norm, Dorothy secures a job with an upstart company working in the cutting-edge field of deepfake creation. It is here that she gets the idea to create a fake social media personality—whom she names Isabella—who embodies all the characteristics she wishes she possessed herself. What Dorothy views as a brilliant idea, readers will immediately clock as a fool-hearted decision that will quickly grow out of control.
Suffice to say, as Isabella’s follower count starts to rise and the offers of endorsement deals and red-carpet appearance grow, so does the risk that Dorothy’s deception will be exposed. Can Dorothy manage to control the chaos she’s unleased before the guilt over her choices literally consumes her from within?
Alma Katsu knows the digital world of which she is writing. That is clear as she uses plot developments to educate readers about the complex technology behind deepfakes. Alma Katsu wisely chooses to limit her exploration of dangers to those specific to Dorothy/Isabella’s plight, while also hinting of other “issues” with our society’s reliance on social media content that will no doubt cause a few sleepless nights for those prone to “worst case scenario” ruminations.
Fans of Alma Katsu may feel that Incarnate is not as scary as Fiend, but an underlying sense of unease permeates Incarnate from the moment the novel begins. The fact that most readers will find some sense of glee in reading to see how Dorothy manages to wiggle her way out of difficult situations as Isabella’s popularity climbs speaks to the menace at the novel’s core. Dorothy is not a “likable” character, but she’s incredibly relatable and most readers will understand her desire to do whatever is necessary to be accepted—until the “whatever” becomes too much. But by that point, it’s too late…certainly for Dorothy, but maybe for the reader as well.
Incarnate is a cautionary tale perfectly told by Alma Katsu. It’s a fast-paced read that quickly becomes addictive—not unlike the social media environment readers are being warned about.
Pre-Order Links: Incarnate by Alma Katsu (released September 22, 2026)
Disclaimer: An e-galley of this title was provided to BOLO Books by the publisher. No promotion was promised and the above is an unbiased review of the novel.
